Diphtheria Outbreak in Europe – 70-Year High
- A significant diphtheria surge, the largest in seven decades, is sweeping across Western Europe, with migrants and the homeless populations facing the highest risk.
- Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection, can severely impact the respiratory system and spread throughout the body.
- The European centre for Disease Prevention and Control recorded 362 cases in 2022 alone.
Europe faces its worst diphtheria outbreak in 70 years, with migrants and the homeless disproportionately affected by this contagious bacterial infection. Since 2022, hundreds of cases have emerged, highlighting the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts and awareness campaigns to curtail the spread. Recent data reveals that most infections involve recently arrived migrants, particularly from Afghanistan and Syria, underscoring the risk within this vulnerable demographic. News Directory 3 is closely monitoring the situation. Authorities stress the critical role of vaccination in prevention; targeted programs and improved monitoring are crucial steps, as a common source of infection has been detected outside the migrants’ countries of origin. Discover what’s next as this public health crisis continues to unfold across Western Europe.
Europe Diphtheria Surge: Migrants, Homeless at Risk
Updated June 5, 2025
A significant diphtheria surge, the largest in seven decades, is sweeping across Western Europe, with migrants and the homeless populations facing the highest risk. The outbreak, which began in 2022, has prompted calls for increased vaccination efforts and awareness campaigns.
Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection, can severely impact the respiratory system and spread throughout the body. Symptoms include sore throat and fever. The World Health Association reports that the disease can be fatal in approximately 30% of unvaccinated cases, with children facing even greater danger.
The European centre for Disease Prevention and Control recorded 362 cases in 2022 alone. While contact tracing and screening initially helped control the outbreak, sporadic infections continue to surface. As the start of 2022, Europe has seen 536 cases, including three deaths.
Analyses of patient samples from 10 countries reveal that 98% of those infected are males, with an average age of 18. The vast majority are recent migrants. A joint statement from France’s public health agency and the Pasteur Institute indicated that the infections likely occurred during migration or in European accommodations, not in the migrants’ countries of origin.
Genetic analysis suggests a common point of contact outside the migrants’ home countries as the source of the outbreak. A genetic link between the 2022 strain and one detected in Germany this year suggests the bacteria continues to circulate in Western Europe.
Researchers stress the effectiveness of vaccination in preventing diphtheria and urge European nations to enhance immunization programs,especially for vulnerable populations. They also emphasize the need to raise awareness among medical professionals and those working with migrants and the homeless, alongside improving access to vaccines and antibiotics.
what’s next
Efforts to control the diphtheria outbreak will focus on targeted vaccination campaigns and improved monitoring to prevent further spread among vulnerable populations in europe.